Organ Cases In Irish Churches and Cathedrals

St Macartan’s Monaghan – Telford Organ

Ferg!

What a splendid idea.

Here is the organ case in Maynooth College Chapel (JJ. McCarthy:

St. Colman’s Cathedral, Cobh, Co. Cork

The organ was installed by Telford in 1905. The first organ was dismantled and re-assembled by Canon Sheehan in the Parish Church in DOneraile, Co. Cork.

Here is Killarney – does anyone have a photo of the case before it was divided?

Probably one of the smallest cathedral organs in ireland (only 2 manuals) in one of the largest cathedrals!

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Galway, although its not really a case as such!

http://www.galwaycathedral.org/recitals/cathorg.html

Doneraile, Co. Cork

The original organ from Cobh Cathedral

Enniscorthy:

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Kilkenny:

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St. Peter and Paul’s, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick (JJ.McCarthy)

The Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady, Tuam, Co. Galway

Here is the organ case, but I would not be certain that there is anything in it.

@Praxiteles wrote:

The Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady, Tuam, Co. Galway

Here is the organ case, but I would not be certain that there is anything in it.

There is – its another Compton Organ, similar to the one in Derry, except this time they have put some dummy pipes in front of it (to hide the swell boxes – Compton organs are usually fully enclosed like this). Mullingar also has a similar organ, although on a much larger scale – http://www.iol.ie/~rod/organ/specs/westmeath/wmh_mullcath.html

@Fearg wrote:

There is – its another Compton Organ, similar to the one in Derry, except this time they have put some dummy pipes in front of it (to hide the swell boxes – Compton organs are usually fully enclosed like this). Mullingar also has a similar organ, although on a much larger scale – http://www.iol.ie/~rod/organ/specs/westmeath/wmh_mullcath.html

But, those three things at the back, in the case, are three white sheets. They are perfectly visible in the larger version of this picture that I reduced.

St. Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina, Co. Mayo

@Praxiteles wrote:

But, those three things at the back, in the case, are three white sheets. They are perfectly visible in the larger version of this picture that I reduced.

I think those are pipes, they are dummies and probably not of the highest quality. I admit, they do look a little “sheet like” in the photo! possibly a trick of the light, you can see what at least appear to be the mouths of the pipes at the bottom?

See Organ case in the Gold Salon of Carton House Maynooth:

This is in the centre of the picture.

The is also a house outside Ennis, Co. Clare that has an organ case that fits into half of the octagonal entrance hall. It is called New… (something) House.

St. Brendan’s Cathedral, Loughra, Co. Galway

Forner South Transept Organ of Armagh Cathedral, removed to another church in 2003:

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Detail of the Grand Organ:

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Why was that shifted?

It was situated in the south transept where the blessed sacrament chapel is now located, so I suppose it was in the way. It was only installed in the mid 80’s when the grand organ was unplayable.

@Michael J. O’Brien wrote:

The is also a house outside Ennis, Co. Clare that has an organ case that fits into half of the octagonal entrance hall. It is called New… (something) House.

Newhall House?

The recently gutted (per Richard Hurley) Augustinian Church in Galway:

St Columb’s cathedral, Derry – this case is empty, organ proper is in the north aisle side chapel.

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@Praxiteles wrote:

The recently gutted (per Richard Hurley) Augustinian Church in Galway:

Another puritanical windsweep. Can’t leave well enough alone.

Note how the western ends of these churches have maintained their gravitas whereas the eastern ends (sanctuaries) are now exercises in levitas, or worse.

St. Mel’s Cathedral, Longford

@ctesiphon wrote:

Newhall House?

That’s it. Beautiful house.

I was reading about it somewhere lately, possibly in Maurice Craig’s new book. The front of house is very formal and probably 19th century. The back return of the house is much older and potentially more historically significant. It definitely features in Hugh Weir’s houses of Clare book.

This house to the best of my knowedlge is not open to the public. The house next door to it Edenvale House is currently being converted into a hotel/guest house. This house was most recently a private house (for a UK DJ) and up to about 20 years ago was a/an hospital.

Michael!

Below see a picture of the organ case at New Hall, Ennis, Co. Clare. According to Bence-Jones, it is not an organ at all but a baroque cupboard in the form of an organ.

The house was built by Charles MacDonnell, MP, c. 1764 to a design possibly by Francis Bindon. The cupboard is in the octagonal doric hall -where the MacDonnell crest appears in the metopes.

Church of Sts Peter and Paul, Cork:

http://www.irishpipeorgans.com/gallery/PictureGallery.asp?path=Cork%2FCork+Ss+Peter+%26+Paul%2F2003%5F0924Image0019%2EJPG

Church of Sts Peter and Paul, Cork:

http://www.irishpipeorgans.com/gallery/PictureGallery.asp?path=Cork%2FCork+Ss+Peter+%26+Paul%2F2003%5F0924Image0019%2EJPG

The Pro-Cathedral Church of St Patrick, Skibbereen, Co. Cork

do you think choirs with small organs get inferiority complexes and try to compensate by buying stupid cars 😉

@Praxiteles wrote:

Michael!

Below see a picture of the organ case at New Hall, Ennis, Co. Clare. According to Bence-Jones, it is not an organ at all but a baroque cupboard in the form of an organ.

The house was built by Charles MacDonnell, MP, c. 1764 to a design possibly by Francis Bindon. The cupboard is in the octagonal doric hall -where the MacDonnell crest appears in the metopes.

Thanks for sharing that. It looks fantastic, I never realised that it was jnst a cupboard!

The organ case of the Convent Chapel of the Ursuline nuns Blackrock, Co.Cork

Michael!

Slightly off the subject, but this link to Francis Bindon may be of interest. It has a small bit about New Hall

http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/people/francis_bindon.htm

The organ case in St. Francis Xavier, Gardiner St., Dublin

Saint Saviours Dominick Street
J.J. McCarty – 1861

Organ above entrance

And here, courtesy of P. Clerkin, is a rare treat: a view of the organ in St. Paul’s, Arran Quay (1837)

St Mary’s Cork:

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North Cathedral Cork:

Not really a case and impossible to get a photo of the entire instrument, as its spread across both aisles and the nave, here is a shot of the south aisle front pipework. I would imagine the organ was rebuilt in the latest renovation to the church.

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St. Michael’s Church, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh

Has St. Michael’s acquired a new organ?

@Praxiteles wrote:

St. Michael’s Church, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh

Has St. Michael’s acquired a new organ?

Sort of! St Michael’s organ had suffered quite a bit over the years, it was originally built by Telford and Telford and rebuilt by the Irish Organ Co some years ago, using most of the original pipework. However, they tryed to “stretch” the specification from a 2 manual to 3, this was not altogether successful. Back in 2000, the instument (as your photo shows) was taken apart and rebuilt, using much of the existing pipework. The second photo shows only the skeleton of the swell box. Attached is an article from a local paper, with a photo of the almost completed case, prior to the reinstatement of 3 original Telford Angels from the original organ.

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More detail here: http://npor.emma.cam.ac.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=D08045

And here: http://npor.emma.cam.ac.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=C00483

The Honan Chapel, Cork

http://honan.ucc.ie/viewImage.php?recID=63

Organ Case in St. Marys RC Church, Youghal.

Its a Telford dating from 1857, and has the most amazing case, and sadly in need of an overhaul, which I believe is underway at the moment

St. Colman’s Church, Ballintotas, Midleton, Co. Cork

The Church of the Descent of the Holy Ghost, Dennehy’s Cross, Cork

Courtesy of Alan, the organ case in St. John the Baptist’s, Kinsale, Co. Cork

Schull, Co Cork:

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Recent shot of the case in St Saviour’s Dublin. Instrument appears to be in very poor condition – many of the facade pipes are damaged and there are odd bits and pieces of organ innards sitting in one of the side galleries.. does anyone know if this organ is still playable?

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Pro Cathedral, Dublin

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St. Patrick’s Pro-Cathedral Church, Fermoy, Co. Cork

The Chapel of the Most Blessed Trinity, Dublin Castle

The Organ in St. Peter’s Church, Drogheda, Co. Louth

A detail of the organ case in Cobh Cathedral:

Beautiful carving on Cobh, detail on photo excellent as not something you can see readily make out with the naked eye if in St. Colman’s

St Ann’s Cathedral, Belfast (Harrison Organ) I believe this is the largest Organ in Northern Ireland.

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The newly painted St Mary’s Parish Church Youghal Organ Case.
(not sure of the colour scheme used…:confused: )

new organ soon to be in St Marys Collegaite Youghal:
http://www.youghal.cork.anglican.org/clerks/organ/

Other Youghal organs:
http://www.youghalpipeorgans.com

More photos:
http://www.youghal.net/gallery/PictureGallery.asp?path=PipeOrgans/

@pipedreams wrote:

The newly painted St Mary’s Parish Church Youghal Organ Case.
(not sure of the colour scheme used…:confused: )

Don’t like that at all.. I’d say its an act if vandalism actually..

@pipedreams wrote:

The newly painted St Mary’s Parish Church Youghal Organ Case.
(not sure of the colour scheme used…:confused: )

It is just awful and goes to demonstrate the all pervading influence of Barny on the public psyche!

@Praxiteles wrote:

It is just awful and goes to demonstrate the all pervading influence of Barny on the public psyche!

Is it possible that the Heritage Officer for County Cork agreed to have this carried out on the 1857 organ?

@Praxiteles wrote:

Is it possible that the Heritage Officer for County Cork agreed to have this carried out on the 1857 organ?

It now has that MDF feel of something from BBCs “Changing Rooms” and the mind of Laurence Llewlyn-Bowen
…………..awful……. or would look better in Perks Funfair in Youghal

@samuel j wrote:

It now has that MDF feel of something from BBCs “Changing Rooms” and the mind of Laurence Llewlyn-Bowen
…………..awful……. or would look better in Perks Funfair in Youghal

Perfection description!

From my own investigations, the original colours of the organ was natural dark wood (polished) and all the pipes were gold coloured, and it would have been far better to revert to that rather than that lilac scheme…

What is the local reaction to the lilac organ?

@Archiseek Editors wrote:

What is the local reaction to the lilac organ?

Have yet to find out, but from experience, I was one of a few who liked, played and talked about the organ.

So I don’t expect much reaction to it.

Newry Cathedral – 3 Manual Telford Organ
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beautiful. Looks like Newry is tolerably well kept.

The Georgian Organs of Anglican Dublin;St.Mary’s,St.Werburgh’s,St.Michan’s
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@ake wrote:

beautiful. Looks like Newry is tolerably well kept.

The Georgian Organs of Anglican Dublin;St.Michan’s

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I’ve always though that the organ in Youghal had a similar case to St.Michan’s.

If would have been great if they use the same colour scheme and not the lilac disaster that we have now.

it’s almost beyond belief.

Some pictures of the organ in Thurles Cathedral
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Close up here;
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=431261190&size=o&context=set-72157594577611854

St.Audeon’s, Dublin;
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The Twin Churches in Wexford Town have similar organs;
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Ramsgrange, Wexford, Pugin’s large, ill-fated, rural parish church;
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The organ in the Rotunda Hospital chapel;
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Anyone know when it dates from?

Christchurch Cathedral, Waterford; the Elliot Organ

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“The organ here in Waterford was built by Thomas Elliot of London, and was installed in 1817 by Alexander Buckingham and was originally positioned in the west gallery.

In 2003 Irish organ builder Kenneth Jones from Bray, County Wicklow restored this fine and only example in Ireland of an Elliot organ to the highest standard.”

@Fearg wrote:

Here is Killarney – does anyone have a photo of the case before it was divided?

Probably one of the smallest cathedral organs in ireland (only 2 manuals) in one of the largest cathedrals!

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This organ actually has three manuals (although still lacks the “big stuff” vital to fill a huge cathedral). It was originally Telford and contained in what I believe was a handsome case. In the 70’s the Irish Organ Company divided it and made some tonal alterations leaving in the state it now appears…

Note what the 70s cathedral “renovations” did to the interior of what was once a masterpiece of Pugin’s work.

@Praxiteles wrote:

The Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady, Tuam, Co. Galway

Here is the organ case, but I would not be certain that there is anything in it.

There was a Bevington organ here until the 1930s, when apparently it was removed due to death-watch beetle infestation. It probably had a fine case (see the photo of the St. Mary’s cathedral, Kilkenny Bevington organ case submitted by another forum member)

@Fearg wrote:

Recent shot of the case in St Saviour’s Dublin. Instrument appears to be in very poor condition – many of the facade pipes are damaged and there are odd bits and pieces of organ innards sitting in one of the side galleries.. does anyone know if this organ is still playable?

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This organ was originally Telford c.1860 and was reduced from 4 to 3 manuals in the 1950s by Evans and Barr. In the 80s the incumbent organist began attempts to enlarge it to 5 manuals! (console still in gallery). The organ is pretty much unplayable and has very little of its original pipework left. Of particular interest though is the full length Open Wood Diapason in the pedal. It is the only full length 32 foot pedal stop in a catholic church organ on the island of Ireland. Dublin’s Pro-Cathedral has a pedal 32 foot, but it is not full length (for organ nerds out there, it’s haskelled)

@ake wrote:

The organ in the Rotunda Hospital chapel;
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Anyone know when it dates from?

Judging by the pipe stencilling and case design plus the lack of upper casework, I’d say that organ dates from between 1870 and 1890.

@Sulpice wrote:

This organ was originally Telford c.1860 and was reduced from 4 to 3 manuals in the 1950s by Evans and Barr. In the 80s the incumbent organist began attempts to enlarge it to 5 manuals! (console still in gallery). The organ is pretty much unplayable and has very little of its original pipework left. Of particular interest though is the full length Open Wood Diapason in the pedal. It is the only full length 32 foot pedal stop in a catholic church organ on the island of Ireland. Dublin’s Pro-Cathedral has a pedal 32 foot, but it is not full length (for organ nerds out there, it’s haskelled)

Thanks Sulpice,
Very interesting situation – would I be correct in assuming that it was an amateur attempt to enlarge? Although there is plenty of room in the gallery, 5 man would be stretching it somewhat, Such a sad situation, that church sersiously deserves an imposing instrument.

@Sulpice wrote:

This organ actually has three manuals (although still lacks the “big stuff” vital to fill a huge cathedral). It was originally Telford and contained in what I believe was a handsome case. In the 70’s the Irish Organ Company divided it and made some tonal alterations leaving in the state it now appears…

Note what the 70s cathedral “renovations” did to the interior of what was once a masterpiece of Pugin’s work.

My bad – got the 2 man from a spec I found on the net. Here is a short clip of the Killarney organ from Youtube (showing the 3 mans 😉 ):

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=5WexxMY5F7Q

Photos found on Flickr which contain some images of the 5 manual console at St Saviours and the sorry state of the gallery organ and case:

http://flickr.com/photos/feargal/3017033608/in/set-72157613601594868/

The original 1873 Telford organ in St Eugene’s Cathedral Derry. Photo must date from pre 1902 when the present gallery was constructed. (Compare this to one of the posts in the first page of this thread).

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